Ok, first of all, I am so very sorry for the long wait, I kinda forgot this book existed...
Secondly, this chapter was originally a lot longer and unfinished, but I decided to cut it in half, and give you this...
Lastly, I just want to thank everyone who's read my book so far, you mean the world to me, and your comments make my day, thank you so much!
Anyhow, on with the story!

.....

Night time.

A time when so many animals awake, and the world really comes alive.

Bats come out at night. Certain snakes and lizards as well.

It's also a prime time to celebrate. 

Hanging up lanterns, aglow with yellow flames, as well as lighting a bonfire to dance around, is a common occurence at SandWing parties.

So here I was, carrying logs from palm trees, into the inner courtyard of the palace. In the shadows, I could see Cactus following, and on the other side of me, Fennec was chatting to a few other guards, casting glances at me every so often. 

Tonight, when the party has gone on for long enough for everyone to be a bit drunk, Fennec will offer to patrol the furthest corner of the castle, and Cactus will watch me from a distance. 

My left wing felt heavy where I had hidden a small bottle of poison Cactus gave me.

I will do whatever it takes to get close to Queen Gazelle, and when I do, I will poison her. 

We had talked over the plan right after I found Cactus, and we had all agreed that it was our best shot. 

The poison I had was weak, but rare. It was odorless and colorless, and will take effect slowly enough that a taste tester won't realize that it is there.

After that, we will all flee towards where Fennec will be patrolling, and I will fly over the wall there. After a few minutes, Fennec will give a shoutout, and she and Cactus will follow me.

Everything was ready.

My first glimpse of Queen Gazelle was when she walked through the palace doors, another dragon trailing close behind.

Only one word came to mind as she walked, towering over everyone with a permanent frown and a heavy aura.

Powerful...

There was no doubt about it, the SandWing Queen was one of pure power, both mentally and physically. 

Her dark sandy colored scales rippled with each step, yet there was a certain grace to her steps that only came with years of training. 

Her golden eyes scanned the crowd, and I had to suppress a shiver. The wisdom and malice in har gaze was terrifying, the effect feeling like thousands ants crawling all over me.

As the Queen finally passed me and went to sit down at the head of the table, I let out a sigh, hearing several other dragonets doing the same.

Then the party really begun.

It didn't take long for most of the dragonets to become drunk, and some of the lower ranked enforcers soon followed. I noticed a few other dragons from Witching Hour, and felt slightly proud that none of them were getting tipsy, as we've learned to hold our alcohol well.

I was standing in the shadows, watching everyone, when Fennec approached me. 

"I'm going to start my shift now," she informed me, and, keeping her voice low, added, "Please be careful."

I gave her a small smile, before nodding my head.

"Don't worry, I'll be careful, " I tell her. "But just in case I ssomething goes wrong, you have the antidote, right?"

"Right here." Taking out a small capsule from a bag around her neck, her talons slip, and a small chest falls out with.

"Oops," she hurried to pick it up, but I stop her. 

The chest was small, easily able to fit inside a dragon's palm, and the wood was dark, accented by the fine golden trim around it. It had a lock, and a pattern made of fire twisted around the keyhole.

"Where did you find this?" My voice was soft, missing its normal edge. Fennec eyed me warily, but my focus was only on the small wooded contained in front of me.

"It was a gift, of sorts," she said warily, shifting her focus off if me. "From Hyena."

I didn't say anything, but just reached under my wing, to where my secret pouch was. Hidden behind the poison, my claw grasped a cold, golden object. 

Taking it out, Fennec eyed it with surprise. 

It was a key.

A small, golden key, with intricate flame designs swirling through it.

Lowering my talon, I inserted it into the keyhole, and turned. Immediately a small click was heard, only barely audible over the noise around us.

Fennec brushed her wing against mine, and opened the chest slowly.

Inside, was a small scroll. 

Taking it out, I noticed my talons shaking, and I faught to keep them still.

The writing was small, but even so, the first sentence was easy to read, yet no easier to comprehend. 

"The Eye of Onyx ~ Jerboa"